Alan H. Morrison

05/12/2004

Alan H. Morrison, 63, a resident of Key West, Fla., formerly of Bennington, died yesterday in Bennington. Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on April 8, 1941, son of W. Adair and Mary Manson Morrison, he moved with his family to the United States in 1952. He attended school in Williamstown. Mr. Morrison was a businessman in Bennington, Key West and Jacksonville, Fla. In 1962, he was manager of Ace Auto Sales in Williamstown, and in 1964 became vice president of Berkshire Sport Cars Inc. He founded Bennington Ford in 1968 in a joint venture, and by 1970 was the sole owner. He bought Scot Sport Motors in 1972 and Morrison Sales and Service in 1982. Other business ventures included Berkshire Chrysler Plymouth Dodge in North Adams, Gareth Bus Lines, Kelley Chrysler Plymouth in Springfield and Calgary Motors in North Adams, Mass. Mr. Morrison served on the Bennington Rescue Squad Fund-raising Committee from 1976 to 1990, and was chairman from 1981 to 1984. He founded the Bennington County Crimestoppers in 1982 and served until 1986. He was a member of the Bennington County Industrial Corp. from 1983 to 1989, the Zoning Board from 1972 to 1974, and the Mount Anthony Union School Board from 1976 to 1978. Mr. Morrison was a member of the Bennington Rotary Club since 1971. He also served on the board of Southern Vermont College from 1984 to 2002. Mr. Morrison was recognized with the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award in 1987, Chamber of Commerce President's Award in 1985, Bennington Museum General Stark Award, Award of Appreciation from the Bennington Museum in 1986, and 2003 Award of Appreciation from the Bennington Rescue Squad. Mr. Morrison served as state racing commissioner from 1977 to 1985, and was awarded honorary life membership to the National Association of State Racing Commissioners. He and his wife, the former Alenda Canedy, were married on Jan. 27, 1979. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Cindy Morrison of Manchester, Vt., and Allison MacKenzie of Georgia, Vt.; two sons, Scot Morrison of Orlando, Fla., and Charles Morrison of Washington, D.C.; a brother, George Morrison of Dallas; three sisters, Margaret Boyer of Bell Brook, Ohio, Nancy Izawa of Molokai, Hawaii, and Elisabeth Morrison of Ottawa, Canada, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Gareth. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services celebrating the life of Alan H. Morrison will be held Monday, May 17, 2004, at 10 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Bennington, where the Burial Office will be offered by the Rev. Canon Robert Miner, interim pastor. Friends may call Saturday from 4 to 7 and Sunday from 2 to 5 at the MAHAR & SON FUNERAL HOME when the family will be in attendance. Burial will take place in the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Morrison wished that any donations be made to the Bennington or Pownal rescue squads, either through the funeral home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201 or directly to the Bennington Rescue Squad, 120 McKinley Street, Bennington, VT 05201 or the Pownal Rescue Squad, Pownal, VT 05261. He leaves his grandchildren, Alexandra Morrison, Isabella MacKenzie and Lucas MacKenzie. In addition, Mr. Morrison often noted to his family and friends that the lung cancer he battled was a consequence of smoking. He asked that even now, this fact be remembered in the hope that it might serve as encouragement for many to stop smoking.

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